English Elm

English Elm (Ulmus procera)

Common Name(s): English Elm, Carpathian Elm Scientific Name: Ulmus procera Distribution: Western Europe Tree Size: 80-115 ft (25-35 m) tall, 3-6 ft (1-2 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 40 lbs/ft3 (640 kg/m3) Basic Specific Gravity: .48 Hardness: 800 lbf (3,580 N) Rupture Strength: 8,990 lbf/in2 (61,990 kPa) Elastic Strength: 1,049,000 lbf/in2 (7,230 MPa) Crushing Strength: 4,550 lbf/in2 (31.3 MPa) Shrinkage: No data available (Most likely very similar to other species in the Ulmus genus)

Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a light to medium brown, sometimes with a hint of red. Sapwood is a pale white or cream color. Burls of English Elm are frequently referred to as “Carpathian Elm burl.”

Grain/Pore: Has a medium texture and moderate-sized pores. Grain is sometimes straight, but commonly interlocked.

Durability: Rated as moderately durable to non-durable in regard to heartwood decay, but is susceptible to insect attack, and living trees are very commonly destroyed by Dutch elm disease.

Workability: Can be a challenge to work because of interlocked grain, especially on quartersawn surfaces. Planing can cause tearout and/or fuzzy surfaces. Glues, stains, and finishes well.

Scent: Elm usually has a strong, unpleasant smell when green; though once dried has very little odor.

Safety: Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Elm in the Ulmus genus has been reported as a sensitizer. Usually most common reactions simply include eye and skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price/Availability: Should be moderately priced within its natural habitat in Europe, though availability from mature trees has been greatly diminished by Dutch elm disease. Carpathian Elm burl veneer is occasionally available, and is among the most expensive veneers commercially available.

Comments: Elm trees are commonly infected with Dutch elm disease, a fungal disease spread by elm bark beetles. D.E.D. has wiped out millions of Elm trees worldwide.

Common uses for elm include: boxes, baskets, furniture, hockey sticks, veneer, wood pulp, and papermaking.

Related Species:

• American Elm (Ulmus americana)
• Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia)
• Dutch Elm (Ulmus x hollandica)
• Red Elm (Ulmus rubra)
• Rock Elm (Ulmus thomasii)
• Winged Elm (Ulmus alata)
• Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra)

Scans/Pictures: A special thanks to Steve Earis for providing the wood sample and turned photo of this wood species.

English Elm (sanded)	English Elm (sealed)
English Elm (endgrain)	English Elm (veneer)
Carpathian Elm burl	English Elm (turned)